About this Event
Schedule
This is a two-day course. Each session is held from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm with a lunch break. Participants can choose to attend one day or both days.
Day 1- AutPlay Therapy Inroductions & Foundations
April 20, 2026
Held at the ChildServe Johnston location
Address: 5406 Merle Hay Rd, Johnston, IA 50131
Day 2- Neurodivergence and Trauma: AutPlay & Beyond:
April 21, 2026
Held at the Johnston Public Library
Address: 6700 Merle Hay Rd, Johnston, IA 50131
Course Description
Come & learn about integrating AutPlay techniques into your clinical practice. This is a training designed for mental health professionals. The first day will be learning about the framework; while the 2nd day will be a deeper dive in trauma informed approaches.
Autplay Therapy is a prescriptive and integrative neurodiversity informed and affirming play therapy framework designed to help meet the mental health needs of neurodivergent children ages 3-18 (autistic children, those with ADHD, social anxiety, sensory differences, learning differences, highly sensitive, and developmental and physical disabilities) and their families. AutPlay Therapy can address a variety of mental health needs including trauma, regulation issues, relationship development, parent/child strain, social navigation, and life adjustment issues. (www.robertjasongrant.com/services)
AutPlay Therapy is a neurodiversity affirming framework which involves the parents and child as co-change agents/partners in the process. AutPlay Therapy is a natural play based approach that is effective, engaging, and relationship building for the child and parent. (www.robertjasongrant.com/services)
Program Objectives
Day 1: AutPlay Therapy Introductions & Foundations:
Participants will be able to:
- Define the components of AutPlay Therapy-including the phases of therapy and parent/family involvement.
- Define the theoretical underpinnings of AutPlay Therapy including play therapy theories.
- Demonstrate the assessment process in AutPlay Therapy.
- Describe play strengths and preferences and how to structure effective play therapy interventions for autistic children.
- Identify primary target needs in AutPlay Therapy
- Describe several play therapy interventions used in AutPlay Therapy.
Day 2: Neurodivergence & Trauma: AutPlay Therapy & Beyond:
Participants will be able to:
- Identify the AutPlay Therapy 3 steps process to help autistic children who are struggling with trauma issues
- List at least 2 reasons play therapy is appropriate for addressing trauma
- Describe the 3 play therapy interventions that help autistic children develop regulation ability
- Define the 5 paradigm process of autism as trauma response
- Identify how AutPlay Therapy integrates with established trauma protocols
- List at least 2 play therapy interventions that help autistic children develop emotion identification and expression
Continuing Education
12 Hours of Continuing Education Credit will be provided for the Iowa Board of Behavioral Health.
Instructor
Robert Jason Grant, Ed.D., LPC, NCC, RPT‑S™
Dr. Robert Jason Grant is a Licensed Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor, and Registered Play Therapist Supervisor (RPT‑S™). He holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership, with research focused on leadership qualities of counseling center and clinic directors, as well as a Master’s Degree in Counseling and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology.
Dr. Grant specializes in working with children, adolescents, adults, and families, with a primary focus on supporting neurodivergent individuals, including those with autism, ADHD, sensory differences, learning disorders, and developmental disabilities. He is the creator of AutPlay® Therapy, an integrative family play therapy framework designed to address the mental health needs of neurodivergent children and adolescents. He is also trauma‑informed and trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing).
As a supervisor, consultant, and life coach, Dr. Grant draws upon years of advanced training and his own lived neurodivergent experience to provide affirming, strengths‑based services. He has developed numerous training programs for professionals and caregivers and serves as an international speaker and keynote presenter. He has presented for organizations including the American Counseling Association, the Association for Play Therapy, the American Mental Health Counselors Association, and the World Autism Congress.
Dr. Grant is a multi‑published author whose works include:
- The AutPlay® Therapy Handbook: Integrative Family Play Therapy with Neurodivergent Children
- Play Interventions for Neurodivergent Children and Adolescents: Promoting Growth, Empowerment, and Affirming Practices
- AutPlay® Therapy Play and Social Groups: A Neurodiversity Affirming Model
- Understanding Sensory Differences: A Neurodiversity Affirming Guidebook for Children and Teens
- Understanding Autism: A Neurodiversity Affirming Guidebook for Children and Teens
- Understanding ADHD: A Neurodiversity Affirming Guidebook for Children and Teens
- Implementing Play Therapy with Groups: Contemporary Issues in Practice
- Play Therapy Theories and Perspectives: Diversity of Thought in the Field
- Trauma Impacts: The Repercussions of Individual and Collective Trauma
His professional recognitions include the 2015 Play Therapist of the Year Award from the Missouri Association for Play Therapy and the 2017 APT Service Award from the Association for Play Therapy. He has served on the Association for Play Therapy Board of Directors and is a board member for the Digital Play Therapy program. He also taught for ten years as an instructor in the Play Therapy Certificate Program at MidAmerica Nazarene University.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
ChildServe, 5406 Merle Hay Road, Johnston, United States
USD 135.23 to USD 268.61
